MPs to hold special meeting on print media, GAM services

AMMAN — Deputies on Tuesday agreed to hold special sessions to discuss the crisis of print media and the “deteriorating” services of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) upon a request by a group of MPs.

Recently, 53 deputies signed a memorandum requesting that a special full Lower House session be held to discuss what they described as the “worsening financial situation” of the country’s major newspapers.

In the memo, a copy of which was made available to The Jordan Times, signatories stressed the important national role of print media outlets, providing a set of recommendations to help alleviate newspapers’ woes, including exemptions from taxes.

Before voting on the memo, MPs commented on its content, with some of them blaming the “bad” administration of newspapers for the financial problems.

Others stressed the need to deal with newspapers away from the considerations of profit and loss, citing the spread of electronic media outlets as the major reason behind print media’s woes.

Some deputies cited consecutive governments’ interference in newspapers as the main factor responsible for their accumulated problems, explaining that these governments flooded print media outlets with unneeded staff.

Also during the afternoon session, the House decided to hold another private session to discuss the “deteriorating” services of GAM upon a request by 39 MPs. 

In a memo, the 39 signatories claimed that the quality of GAM’s services has been worsening significantly over the past years.

Some deputies said discussing the issue is unconstitutional, arguing that the House has no authority over a purely executive matter that falls under the sole jurisdiction of the government.

Other MPs opposed this rationale, saying that discussing issues related to GAM and other municipalities is an integral part of the House’s monitoring role over the government.

During Tuesday’s morning session, MPs started deliberating the 2002 audiovisual law and passed some of its articles.